Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

Picea pungens, known as the Colorado Blue Spruce and the Blue Spruce, is a medium to large, narrow, pyramidal conifer with horizontal branching to the ground. It typically grows 10 to 20 metres tall with a spread of 3 to 6 metres in cultivation but may reach 30 metres or more where it grows naturally. It is native to the central Rocky Mountains from southern Montana and eastern Idaho south to New Mexico where it is typically found growing in moist locations from 1800 to 3350 metres above sea level. Stiff, bristly, four-angled, green to blue-green to silver-blue needles (to 38mm long) point outward from the branches in all directions. Cylindrical light brown cones (to 105 mm long) have flexible scales. Dark grey bark furrows on mature trees.

Easily grown in average, acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade. Prefers rich, moist soils. Although established plants have some drought tolerance, soils should be kept consistently moist and not allowed to dry out in the early years. Generally prefers cool climates and will struggle in the heat and humidity of hot summer climates found in the northern parts of Australia.